Stenciling-machine.



G. GIBBS & J. SOKOLOV. STENCILING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR.18, 1908.

Patented Oct. 22, 1912.

G. GIBBS & J. SOKOLOV.

STENCILING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR.1B, 1908.

Patented Oct. 22, 1912.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2 C. GIBBS & J. SOKOLOV.

STENOI-LING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.18, 1908.

Patented Oct. 22, 1912.

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G. GIBBS & J. SOKOLOV.

STBNGILING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 18, 1908.

Patented Oct. 22, 1912.

6 $HEETSSHEET 4.

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G. GIBBS & J. SOKOLOV. STENGILING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 18, 1908.

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UNITED STATES Ij T NT UFFIOE,

oHALi-J'Es ems'sann sacoixfsoxonby, or NEW YORK; it; sit,- mss'r'enons To summons TYPEWRITER COMPANY, orinnw YORK, N. Y., A cosromz'rmn or JERS Y:

sinnclLme-macniiin.

Specification of Letters Patent. I I

Patented0ct.-22,=1912 Application filed A ri 1a, 1908. Serial no. 427,920.

Toflallivhom tit-may mam: v s

Be it known that we, CHARLES GIBBS, a citizen of the United States, residing the borough of Bronzi,-'city,' county, and State of New York, and JACOB SoKoLov, a subject of the Czar of Russia, residing in the boron h of Brooklyn, city of New York, county or Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stenciling-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for feeding sheets one at a time from a stacker pile to the rolls of a stenciling machine.

One of the principal objects of the in: vention is to provide simple inexpensive and effective means for separating the sheet-from the pile, and advancing it to the rolls. The mechanism for this purpose comprises clamps for the rear and forward ends of the'pile of sheets and means for releasing the clamps in alternation, the rearclaln being released while the paper feeder a" vances' or buckles the top sheet. Then the rear clamp is closed upon the pile while the forward clamp is released and the sheet further advanced by the feeder into the bite of the rolls. The feeder is in the form of a roll made of soft rubber and corrugateiand isconstructed to run freely along the pile of sheets in one direction but to catch upon the top sheet when moyingin the opposite direction, so as to adyance said sheet; The feeder as well as the clamp-operatmlg deg vice'sj are connected to the stencil cy mder of the stenciling machine to be operated in unison therewith. Means arenp fovided for releasing both clamps manuallfy, to facilitate insertion and adjustment, 0 the pile of sheets,

The clamps are adapted to perforn their functions regardless of theheightof the pile of sheets, eachclamp. being lifted by means of a awl and ratchet mechanism, which lifts t e clamp to a predetermined extent from any height at which it is binding the sheets. At the proper moment thepawl 1s caused to release the clam'p, and a' sprlng draws it down upon the pile again.

In order to overcome the tendenc' of the upper sheets in the pile creeping orward, the invention proyides in advance of the p le a pair of jogs, normallylying flush withthe table, but caused at the moment when both revolution of the c'ylin er; connected the pressure of the roll wait-st the ciamps; are released, to lip-and jog" b'acli provided its the rear end of the pile.

abut against. safe jogsalso ser'ifeto waitor throw np'j the rear portion of the pr viousiy f d sheet, as wicfiaraw it more quickly fi m beneath are aware cla p;

qn at delivery side of: the stencil cytln'der 1s preferah" arrange} a gage 61 the leadlng edges of t e sheets; an the pressure roll is also released to permit thesheet' to advance freely between the roll and cylinder until it is presented to said gage; There uses the rat is caaseaw fre's'sthe sheetagams't the cyhnder pro lice the stenciling thereon; the gage being ducked or dropped at; the, proper moment to permit the sheet't'o adyance, The releasing, and restoring movements of the pressure roll are efi'ected by a cafn' which reiio'lye'si with the stencil cylinder," a rider coopei'a-tiii% with said cam to force the roll aghast t @161: inder during thev princ" a1 portion of he t r v Sid rider is to a rest shaft whit is was is prouided witha cam toithr'ow the pressure roller frame toward the stencil cylinder. A suit-able throw-01f dei'rice isprovided he" tween said rock shaft and the last-"mentiofid from the stencil cylinder for on eniiice in manipulating the cylifidii diid the sheets thereon in ettilig 'the' .n'fztchine' read for a run. Means are "roy'ided for re" 4 V Another obg'ect )Lthe nirefition is to p evide for efi ing relative adjtfstni'fit of the steneil eylinder, and sheet ;feeding apparatus so as" to cause the stnciled matter to a pear at any desired portion Between the to and bottom of, the sheet fed throtigh the inalhine by the feeling devices. This result is accomplished by aking tlie' Ste-nail cylinder loose upon its shaft; since the shaft 1's positively c'or rne'cted to the sheet feeding devices itis o 'ece'ss'a 1' to turn the cylinder while the sheet feeding deiiic es remain stationary, until the tesii ed adjustment of and then to sie'cil're of hand when provided for the ee pse;

ther features and adirantalg'es wi I hereinafter appear. i

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a .perspective view of a stenciling and feeding machine made in accordance with the present improvements; the-pile .of sheets being omitted, and the sheet feederbeing shown at .about the b inningof. its for. ward stroke. The rear s eet clamp is shown as opened by the operation of the meeha opposite side of the feed board 6. The lenism; while the front sheet clamp is shown as having been manually opened for the introduction of the pile of sheets. Fig. 2 is a sectional viewtaken at the 'axle of the stencil cylinder to illustrate the manner of clamping the cylinder to the axle after the cylinder is turned to the desired positlon thereon. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the top sheet as having been fed for ward to-the stenciling rolls; the rear clamp being closed and the forward clamp open. Fig. 4-is a perspectivebottom view of the machine; the parts being shown about half way between the 1' and Fig. 3 positions. Fig. 5 is a part sectional side elevation of the machine showing the parts 1n theFig. 1 position. Fig. 6 is a rear elevation to illustrate the mechanism cont-rolling the rear sheet clamp. Fig. 7 is a detail of the pawl tripdevices used in controlling the clamp seen at Fig. 6. Fig. 8. is a'sec tional rear elevation taken just'back of the stencil'cylinder. Fig. 9 is a view illustrating the operation of the sheet jog. Fig. 10

is an elevation of the means for manually releasing the pressure roll from the stencil cylinder. Fig. 11 is an elevation of the means-for effecting fine adjustments of the pressure of the stencil roll against the stencil cylinder. Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the devices seen at Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional elevation, showing the position 'of the mechanism when thetop sheet has been buckled and is advancing to the stencil cylinder. Fig. 14. is a view similar to Fig. 13, but showing the sheet as being nearly drawn off from the pile by means of the stencil cylinder and pressure roll.

A pile of sheets is seen at 1, Fig. 3, to be fed between a stencil cylinder 2 having the usual/perforations 3, and a pressure roll 4,- whereby the ink impressions are made upon the top surfaces of the sheets. The cylinder may be revolved by a handle, Figs.v5 and ,8, or otherwise.

The sheets are laid upon a table 6 having a rubber corrugated mat 7 to prevent slippin'g of the pile along the table.

The stencil cylinder has at one end a tread I 8, whereby it is supported upon trundles 9,

' latter erected upon a base 15.

' The outer end of the shaft carries a crank 16, whereby many of the operationsof the holes on the levers. that at each revolution of the cylinder the paper feeding devices are effected. To a crank pin17 on said crank is secured one end of a link 18, the latter preferably advers are fixed upon the ends of atransverse horizontal rock shaft 22 extending beneath the feed board 6. The ends of the shaft may be squared as illustrated to.fit in square It will-.be understood frame comprising the arms 20, 21 and the rock shaft '22 is given a complete 'reci rocation from the 1 position to the' 3 position and back again. Said arms 20,

21 effect a forward and backward travel of a paper feeder in the ,form of a roll 23 which runs upon the sheet pile 1. The roll is journaled at its ends in a pair ofarms 24 connected by a rigid bar 25 and fixed at their rear ends to a horizontal rod-. or pin- 't1e 26, the ends whereof are connected by links-27 to the tops of the vibrating arms 20, 21. It will be seen that the ends of the pintle 26 project from the arms 24 and extend .throu'gh horizontal guide slots 28 formed in apa-irof vertical plates .or ledges 29 which flank the pile of sheets on the feed board 6 and form part of the framework. 'By this means the arms 20, 21 are caused to drag the roll 23 forwardly and backwardly over the sheet pile at every revolution of the cylinder. 1

The sheet feedingroll 23 is made of soft rubber, and its clinging quality is improved by forming longitudinal corrugations 30 in its periphery, as shown. The roll is divided into two longitudinal sections between which is placed a ratchet wheel 31 engaged by a yielding spring finger or pawl 32 fixed upon the middle of the cross bar 25. During the return stroke, Fig. 3 to Fig. 1, the

pawl rides idly over the teeth of the ratchet wheel as the roll runs along upon the pile of sheets; but during the forward stroke- .the -p awlprevents rotation of .the ratchet wheel and hence of the roll sections, which are rigidly secured thereto in any suitable manner; so that the roll is caused to bite and carry along the top sheet of the pile. Both the ratchet wheel and the roll sections maybe fixed" to the axle 33 of'the roll. The roll frame 24, 25 may be turned up about the pintle 26 and thrown backwardly over the rear of the-machine when the parts are in-the Fig. 1 position, for convenience in inserting and manipulating the pile of,-

sheets; and the same may thereupon be thrown forward upon the pile, the weight of the roll and the frame being sufiicient -to give the necessary grip of the roll upon the top sheet. The rollis movable up and down to accommodate variations in the height-of forward and rear clamps for the pile .of sheets, in the form of transverse horizontal overlying bars 34 and 35. The first to be released ateach sheet feeding operation is the rear bar 35, to enable the advancing feeder roll 23 to advance the rear portion of the top sheet while the forward portion thereof is still held in the grip of the forward clamp 34, thus buckling the sheet between its ends, as seen in dotted lines at 36. Fig. 5, the rear clamp 35 being then pressed down upon the pile of sheets to retain the same while the forward clamp 34 is released or lifted to permit the passage of the advancing sheet, marked 36 at Fig. 3.

It will be seen that the rear clamping bar 35 is fixed at its ends to a pair of vertical racks 37 which slide in a pair of vertical guides 38 fixed to tlIG SldBS of the sheet board 6. The racks are connected by a pair of pinions 39 fixed upon the ends of a shaft 40 suitably journaled in the framework, so that parallel movement of the clamping bar is insured without liability ofbinding in'the guides.

at; spring 41, coiled about the shaft, Fig.

4, tends constantly to turn the latter in a direction to throw the clamping bar down upon the pile of sheets. The lifting of the clamp to release the sheets is eifected by an arm 42 constituting an extension of one of the side levers 20 and pendent from the rock shaft 22. Said arm 42 is connected by an extensible link 43 to a pawl carrier 44 loosely pivoted upon a projecting end of'the pinion shaft 40. and carrying a pivoted pawl 45 to engage the teeth of a ratchet wheel 46,

which'is fixed upon said pinion shaft 40. At the return stroke of the traveling feeder roll 23, the arm 42 pulls thelink 43 and pawl carrier 44 forwardly from the Fig. 3 to the Fig. 1 position, during whichmovement the pawl 45 is in engagement with the ratchet 46, and is caused to turn the pinion shaft 40 to raise the rear clamp 35 to the Fig. 1 position. During the return movement of the pawl carrier 44, the pawl 45 is engaged and tripped from the ratchet wheel 46 by means of a trip pin 47 on which the nose of the pawl rides, as seen at Fig. 1. Thus, as soon as the, traveling'f'eed roll 23 advances sufficiently to withdraw the leading edge of the, top sheet from beneath the clamp 35, .the latter isreleased from the 'controlzof the pawl 45, and the spring 41 snaps said clamp down'on the pile of sheets to hold the pile during the remainder of the cycle of operations. 1 I

The rocking pendent arm 423s also caused to operate the forward clamping bar 34 to lift the same after therear bar 35 has been snapped down upon the sheets. The clamp? ing bar 34, it will be seen, is mounted upon a pair of racks 48 mounted in vertical slideways 49 and meshing with 'pinions 50, Fig. 4, fixed upon a transverse shaft 51 around which'is coiled a spring 52 to hold the clamp 34 down upon the pile of sheets Upon the shaft 51 is fixed a ratchet wheel '53,. and engaging with the latter is a pawl 54 pivoted upon a carrier It will be understood that both the pawls 54 and 45 are spring-pressed. The carrier 55 is loosely pivoted upon the shaft 51, and has a pinand-slot connection with a forwardly and backwardly'movable slide 56,'which is connected by a link 57 to the lower end of said rocking arm 42. It will be seen that the slide has horizontal guiding slots 58, 59, the

former engaging the shaft 51, and the lat- .tercngaglng a stud 82 on the framework.

The slide carries a pin 61 to engage a radiating slot 62 formed in the pawl carrier and extending close to the pivotal axis 51 of the pawl carrier.

It will be seen at Fig. 5 that the traveling paper feeder 23 is just advancing from its rearmost position, but that the rocking arm 42 is still in line with the link 57 or on the dead center, so that there has not yet been any advance movement of the slide 56 or the pawl carrier 55. It will be understood moreover that while the feeder 23 advances from the Fig. 5 position, the initial move ment of the slide 56 will be very slow, and the vibration of the pawl carrier 55 correspcndingly slight, so that the rotation of the ratchet wheel and its shaft 51 and consequently the lifting of the forward clamping bar 34 is delayed until the rear clamping bar is released and snapped down upon the rear portion of the pile of sheets, the top sheet having been by this time withdrawn from the rear clamping bar.

The slide 56 by means of the pin 61 continues torock the carrier 55 until the clamping bar 34 is well above the pile of sheets; and in order to hold the clamping bar p until the top sheet 36 is withdrawn from beneath the same, the pin 61 travels idly along-the slot 62 in the pawl carrier 55, said slot at this time extending approximately in the direction of travel of said pin, Fig. 3. It will also be understood that the pin 61 travels idly during the first part of the return stroke of the slide 56, so that the clamping bar 34 is maintained so much the longer in its elevated position, the pile of sheets being held down by the clamp 35 meanwhile. In other words, the arm or actuator 55 has a lost motion construction effective to hold the clamp away from the pile of sheets while the tQp sheet is-bei-ng fed past said'clamp. At the'final portion of the stroke of the slide 56 toward the left to the Fig.5 position, the

-, pin 61, as it nears the fulcrum 5l,'efi'ects' a relatively rapid stroke of the-carrier 55 I ing, the operation 'of jogs 68 occurs, as will to the Fig. 5 position, and the pawl is tripped away from the ratchet wheel 53 by means of 'a trip pin 63, catching under the nose of the pawl, so that the spring 52 is permitted to snap the clamping bar 34 down upon the remainder of the pile of sheets, this operation taking place during the final portion ofthe return or idle stroke of the travelingfeeder 23 toward the right at Fig. 5, and after the rear clamping bar 35 has begun to rise. v carrier 55 up. WVhile 34 is up and 35 is rispresently be explained. v y

\ The trip pin 47, like .the pin 63, is movable endwise in and out and constantly pressed out by a spring 64, Fig. 7; and the to of the inner side ofthe pawl is bevele off at 64 to force said pin out of its path during the advance of the pawl, as will be understood. The pawl is not beveled on its under side, and'hence can be tripped by said pm as set forth; The rear pinionshaft is provided with a handwheel 65, and the forward pinion shaft with a hand wheel 66, whereby the clamps 35 and 34 may be raised manually to admit the pile of sheets. The bar34 is shown raised manually at Fig. 1. From the foregoing it will be perceived that the sheet-holding clamps are self-adjusting to the height of the pile of sheets.

' In the floor or apron 67 leading from the table .6 to the bite of the stencilingrolls are apertures to receive jogs 68 which are pivoted upon the rock shaft 69 below the table, whereby they are caused toturn up at the moment when both forward and rear clamps 34, 35 are'lifted to jog back the pile of sheets, to correct their tendency to creep forward during the sheet feeding operation.

These jogs normally lie flush with the apron 67, and are. ranged one at each side of the forward edge of the pile. During the forward movement of the'slide 56 and when the rear portion of the advancing sheet 36* has nearly cleared the-forward clamp 34,

. a projecting pin 70 carried upon an arm' '71 'the advancing sheet pivoted at'72 upon said slide, engages, an arm 73 dependent from said rock shaft 69 and thereby rocks the shaft, and throws the jogs quickly upward against the pile of sheets to set the same back against a gage or stop plate 74 provided on the rear port-ion of the table 6 back of the clamp 35. This position of the jogs is seen at Fig. 9. The tongues 68 serve also to lift or buckle same 'more rapidly from beneath the forward clamp 34. As the slide 56 continues in its forward niovement. the pin or tappet 7O slidesout from under the rock arm 73, and a spring 75 connected at oneend to anarm 76 and at the other end to one of-the tongues .68, draws the tongues down to normal posi;

tion. During the advancing movement of A spring 55 helps "start 36 to 'withdraw the.

the arm 71,.a pin 77 prevents turning of said arm upon its pivot 72; but during the retraction of the slide 56, an arm turns freely about said pivot to pass the rock arm 73; and a weight 78 pendent from said arm 71 serves tion after passing the rock arm ,7 3.

To permit the leading edge of the advancin sheet 36 'to pass between the stencil cy inder 2 and the pressure roll 4, the latter is dropped to Fig. 5 position at the proper point 1n the revolution of the cylinder. 7

It will be seen that the roll is carried upon a frame or support comprising arms 79 pivoted at their rear ends upon the framework and carrying loosely at their forward'ends the latter is pressed against the stencil cylinder. This pressure is efiected by means of a cam 81 mounted upon a transverse rock shaft 82. Said rock shaft 82 in turn'carries an arm 83 to which is pivoted at- 84 a link orbar 85 extending parallel and carrying atits upper end a Wrist 86 to engage a peripheral cam .87 secured upon the axle '12 of the stencil cylinder; said cam being formed with a recess 88 to pernfit theroll' 4 to drop. After the sheet is advanced over the roll 4 and has been presented to the front gage presently to be described, the

wrist 86 rides upon a part 89 ofsaid cam, whereby the link'or bar 85 is thrust down:

and the arm 83 rocked together with the shaft 82 and its cam 81, to lift the bar 80 to press the roll 4 up against'the cylinder. The wrist 86 thereafter rides upon the circular periphery 87 of saidca'm to'hold the roll 4 pressing against the cylinder during phe major portion'of 'therevolution of the atter.

Gage pins 90 for the leading edges of thesheets are mounted at intervals along a rock shaft 91 which is journaled in the end standards of the framework. An arm 92.0n said rock shaft is connected by a link"93 to the lower end of a lever 94 pivoted .at 95' upon the framework and having a finger 96 to engage a cam 97 alsomounted upon the axle 12 of the stencil cylinder. Said cam is formed with a recess 98, which permits the to restore thelatter to normal posi- ,a bar extending along the roll, whereby.

lever .94 to vibrate rearwardly, and the gage pins 90 to swing up to working position under the influence ofa spring 99, while the roller 4 is still down away from the stencil cylinder. As the cam turns, the part'96 rides out of the recess 98,'and the lever 9 is swung to theFig. 5 position, dropping the .machine.

or ducking the gagepins 90 to permit the free delivery .of the stencil sheet from" Said arm 83 of the roll-.-re-

leasing mechanism is' preferably. formed upon a' housing 100 loosely mounted upon the rock shaft 82, but connected by ascrew 101 to' a worm, 102 fixed upon said rock shaft, to-efiect fine adjustments of the latter, by turning" the head 103 of the screw in'either direction required. The turning of said screw has the effect of producing a slight rot-ation'of thesliaft 82 and ofthe cam 81 thereon, toincrease or diminish the pressure of the roll 4 against the stencil cylinder, while the bar or rider 85 is run ning upon. the main'circular portion 87 .of the cam 87. Thus it will be seen that in the train of mechanism extending from said cam 87 to the pressure roll is a' part 103, which may be adjusted at will to vary the pressure of the roll.

. The roll lifting cam 81 is not fixed directly upon the rock shaft 82, but is fixed upon a sleeve or hollow shaft 104, for the purpose of enabling the roll 4 to be cast off at any time or at any point in the revolution of the cylinder 2, as may be desired in getting the machine, ready to run the sheets through. Upon the outer end of the shaft 82.is fixed an arm 105 by-means of a set screw 106; and pivoted upon the outer end of said arm is a pawl or latch 107 having a tooth 108 to engage a notch 109 formed in a collar 110, the latter fixed upon the 'outer end ,of the sleeve 104, whereby said sleeve and the shaft 82 are caused to rock in unison. When it is desired to release the pressure roll .4, a handle 111 is grasped to pull the latch 107 out from the notch, Fig. 10, thus releasing the connection bet-ween the rock shaft 82 and the hollow shaft 104, so that the latter may give way and the roll 4 drop "from the cylinder. To press the roll against the cylinder again, a handle 112 upon said collar 110 is lifted until the notch 109 comes in register again with the tooth 108, whereupon a spring 113' snaps the tooth into the notch. I

The cylinder 2 may be revolubly adjusted relatively to its axle 12. Its hub 11 is loose upon said axle and confined between a head 114 upon said axle and a nut 115. The cams 87 and 97 are confined between the nut and the hub 11, and both are loose upon the axle, but prevented from turning thereon as by a suitable key 116, Fig. 2. By turning the nut 115, the parts may be loosened and the cylinder 2 then turned to any desired point upon the axle, the latter remaining stationary. Then the'nut 115 is turned to clamp the cylinder hub 11 against the head 114 of the axle, so'as to secure the cylinder where adjusted. By this means, the steneiling may be caused to fall at any desired portion of the sheet considered longitudinally, between the top and bottom thereof.

Accidental backward rotation of the cylinder may be prevented by means of a pawl 117 pivoted upon the stud 95, and caused by a spring 118 to mesh with the teeth of a ratchet wheel 119 formed upon the side of the cam 97.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described our invention, we

claim 1. Sheet holding and releasing means for an automatic sheet-feeding mechanism, comprising a stationary table to support the pile of sheets, a clamp, a spring to cause said clamp to bind the pile of sheets,- a pawl and ratchet mechanism to lift the' 'clamp from the sheets, and means to cause the pawl and ratchet mechanism to release the clamp at each sheet-feeding operation. 7

2. Sheet holding and releasing means for an automatic sheet-feeding mechanism, comprising a clampingbar, lifting racks connected to the ends of the bar, a transverse shaft having pinions to mesh with the racks, a spring to cause the bar to clamp the pile of sheets, a ratchet wheel connected to said shaft, a pawl, said pawl and ratchet 'forming part of a mechanism to lift the clamp from the sheets, and means to cause the pawl and ratchet mechanism to release the shaft and permit the spring to force the bar down upon the sheets at each. sheet-feeding operation.

3. The combination with sheet holding and releasing means for an automatic sheetfeding mechanism, comprising a stationary table to support the pile of sheets, a clamp, a spring to cause said clamp to bindv a pile of sheets, mechanism self-adjusting to any height of thepile of sheets, to lift said clamp from the sheets, and means to release the clamp from said lifting means at each sheetfeeding operation, of means independently movable up and down with the pile to feed the sheets when released.

4. A sheet-feeding mechanism comprising a stationary table to' support the pile of sheets, forward and rear spring-pressed clamps for the leading and rear portions of the pile of sheets, a traveling feeder between the clamps, mechanism self-adjusting to any height of the pile of sheets, to lift the'rear clampfroni said sheets, means for then advancing the feeder to start the rear part of the top sheet while the other clamp is holding all the sheets, means to then release the rear clamp from said lifting means, and means operative at any height of the pile of sheets, to lift the front clamp from said sheets while the forward travel of said feeder continues; said feeder movable up and down to accommodate variations in the height of the pile.

mechanism self-adjusting for all the variations in the height of the pile to cause the pile of sheets to be released from said (clamps in alternation, and a sheet-feeder traveling between the clamps and operative after the release of the pile from the rear clamp to advance the rear portion of the top sheet,

and also operative to advance the entire top sheet'after the release of the pile from the forward clamp, and movable up-and down to accommodate variations in the height of the pile.

6. Sheet-holding and releasing means for an automatic sheet-feeding mechanism comprising a clamp, a spring to cause said clamp to bind the pile of sheets, a pawl and ratchet to lift the clamp from the sheets, means to reciprocate the pawl, a pawl-trip efl'ective during the return movement of the reciprocating means to release the ratchet and the clamp from the control of the'pawl,

and means for enabling the pawl during its clamp raising movement, to-move said trip out of its path.

7. Sheet-holding and releasing means for an automatic sheet-feeding mechanism, comprising a .clamping bar, lifting racks connected to the ends of the bar, a transverse shaft having pinions to mesh with the racks, a spring to cause the bar to clamp the pile of sheets, a ratchet wheel connected to said shaft, a pawl, said pawl and ratchet forming part of a mechanism to lift the clamp from the sheets, means to cause the pawl and ratchet mechanism to release the shaft and permit the spring to force the bar down upon the sheets at each sheet-feeding operation'; said releasing means in the form-of a trip to engage the pawl during the retrac tion of the latter, and means being provided to render said trip ineffective during the advance ofthe pawl.

8. Sheet-holding and releasing means for an automatic sheet-feeding mechanism comprising a sheet-clamping bar, a shaft connected thereto, aratchet upon said shaft, a pawl, a trip to engage the pawl during the retraction of the latter, means to enable the pawl during its advancement to move the trip out of its path, and an actuator for said 1 pawl.

9. Sheet-holding and releasing means for an automatic sheet-feeding mechanism com sheet-feeder, a stationary support for the pile of sheets, spring-pressed forward and rear clamps for the pile of sheets, means connected to said driver and effective at all variations in the height of the pile, both to lift the rear clamp while the sheet-feederadvances the rear portion of the "top sheet, 7

and also to cause the rear clamp then to bind the pile of sheets, and means also connected to said driver and self-adjustingto all variations in the height of the pile, to lift the forward clamp and hold it up during the furt-he-r'a'dvance of the feeder, and until the top sheet hasadvanced past the forward clamp, and then to cause said forward clamp to bind the pile of sheets during the release of the sheets by the rear clamp; said sheet-feeder independently movable up and down to accommodate variations in the height of the pile ofsheets.

11. A sheet-feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, a stationary table for the pile of sheets, a revolving driver, a lever reciprocated thereby, an arm connected to said lever, a pawl upon said arm, a ratchet wheel operated by said pawl, a springpressed clamp for the pile of sheets, said clamp connected to said ratchet wheel and means. for tripping the pawl, from the ratchet wheel to release the clamp.

12. Sheet-holding and releasing means for an automatic sheet-feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, a clamp, a stationary table for the pile ofsheets, a spring to cause the clamp to bind the pile of sheets, a

rotary driver, a pawl reciprocated by said driver, a ratchet actuated by the pawl and connected to the clamp to lift the latter,

from the sheets, and means to trip the pawl from the ratchet to-release the clamp from the control of the pawl.

13. A sheet-feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, a stationary support for the ile of sheets, a rotary driver, a sheet-fee er'connected thereto, forward and rear spring-pressed clamps for the pile of sheets, ratchet wheels connected to said clamps to lift the same,-pawls connected to said driver to drive said ratchet to lift the clamps in alternation, and means for causing the pawls to releasethe ratchets in alternation.

14. A sheet-feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, a revolving driver, a sheet-feeder operated thereby, a springpressed clamp for the forward portion of the pile of sheets, a ratchet connected to said clamp to lift the same, a pawl to operate said ratchet, an arm or actuator connected to said driver for driving said pawl, said armor actuator provided with a lost-motion construction effective to hold the clamp away from the pile of sheets while the top sheet is being fed past said clamp by said feeder, a clamp for the rear portion of the pile of sheets, means connected to said driver 3 to release said rear clamp 'while the front a clamp is effective and while the feeder advanees the rear portion of the top sheet, and means to release the rear clamp to bind the remaining sheets before the forward clamp is lifted.

15. A sheet-feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, a revolving driver, a sheet-feeder operated thereby; a springpressed clamp for the forward portion of the pile of sheets, a ratchet connected to said clamp to lift the same, a pawl to operate said ratchet,'an arm provided with'a slot and operating said pawl, a slide or part having a projection to engage said slot and connected to said driverto be reciprocated thereby, whereby the driver is enabled to lift the clamp from the pile of sheets. said slot being formed with a dwell portion to enable said slide afterlifting the clamp to hold it away from the pile of sheets until thetop sheet is fed past said clamp, a clamp for the rear portion of the pile of sheets, means connected to said driver to release saidv rear clamp while the front clamp is effective and while the feeder advances the rear portion of the top sheet, and means to release the rear clamp to bind the remaining sheets before the forward clamp is lifted.

16. A sheet-feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, a stationary table .to support the pile of sheets, a revolving driver, a pawl reciprocated thereby, a ratchet wheel driven by said pawl, a spring-pressed clamp to bind the pile of sheets, said clamp connected to said ratchet wheel to be lifted thereby, means for automatically effecting disconnection between the clamp and the driver, to permit the clamp to bind the sheets, and a finger wheel connected to said ratchet wheel to lift the clamp manually when required.

17. In a sheet-feeding mechanism, the.

combination with a revolving driver, of a rock shaft, a pair of levers fixed upon said rock shaft and connected to said revolving driver to be reciprocated thereby, links extending from said levers, a frame hinged to said links, and a'sheet-feeding roll journaled upon said frame to be capable of running freely upon the pile of sheets and provided with means to cause it to urge the top sheet forward during the advance travel of the roll effected by said levers.

18. In a sheet-feeding mechanism, the combination with a revolving driver, of a rock shaft, a pair of levers fixed upon said rock shaft and connected to said revolving driver to be reciprocated thereby, links extending from said levers, a shaft hinged to said links, a sheet-feeding roll journaled upon said shaft to be capable of running freely upon the pile of sheets and provided with means to cause it to urge the top sheet forward during the advance travel of the roll effected by said levers, and slotted guides for the ends of said shaft.

19. In a sheet-feeding mechanism, the combination with a revolving driver, of a rock shaft, a pair of levers fixed upon said rock shaft and connected to said'revolving driver to be reciprocated thereby, links extending from said levers, a frame hinged to said links, and a sheet-feeding rolljournaled upon said frame to be capable of running freely upon the pile of sheetsand provided with means to cause it to urge the top sheet forward during the advance travel of the roll. effected by" said levers; saidhinged frame being mounted to swing up about its point of connection with said links away fromthe sheets or feed-board.

' 20; In a sheet-feeding mechanism, the combination with a revolving driver, of a rock shaft, a pair of levers fixed upon said rock shaft and connected to said revolving driver to be reciprocated thereby, links extending from said levers, a frame hinged to said links, a sheet-feeding roll journaled upon said frame and provided with means to cause it to urge the top sheet forward during the advance travel of the roll effected by said levers; rock arms, links connecting said rock arms to said rock shaft and carry ing pawls, ratchet wheels driven by the pawls, paper clamps lifted by the ratchet wheels in alternation, and means to release the clamps in alternation.

21. A sheet-feeding mechanism comprising a clamp to hold the pile of sheets, means for lifting the clamp and advancing the sheets serz'atim, revolving rolls to which the sheet is fedand by which it is advanced,

and a device between the rolls and said clamp to loop the advancing sheet to hasten its withdrawal from beneath said clamp.

22. A sheet feedingmechanism comprising a clamp to hold the pile of sheets, means for lifting the clamp and advancing the sheets seria'tim, revolving rolls to which the sheet is fed and by which it is advanced, a table or apron extending from the clamp to the rolls, and a tongue provided in said table and mounted to rise therefrom to. loop the advancing sheet to hasten its withdrawal from beneath said clamp.

. hasten its withdrawal from beneath said clamp.

24. A sheet-feeding mechanism comprising a support for the pile of sheets, forward and rear clamps for the leading and rear portions of the sheets, means being provided to cause said support andsaid clamps to cooperate to hold the pile of sheets constantly during its variations in height, means operative during such variations to cause the pile ,of sheets to be released from said clamps in alternation, a sheet-feeder travelingbetween the clamps and operative after the release of the pile from the rear clamp to advance the rear portionof the top sheet, and also operative to advance the entire top sheet after the release of the pile from the forward clamp, means at the forward end of the pile of sheets to jog the sheets back at each sheet-feeding operatiom-and a restor gage for the rear edge of the pile of sheets.

25. In a sheet feeding mechanism, the combination of a stationary sheet-supporting board, a driver, a roll, means to causethe roll to travel to and fro upon the pile of sheets, and means for cooperating with said roll to enable it to separate and advance the top sheet from the pile, said cooperating devices self-adjusting to the-height of the pile ofsheets and including checking or holding devices for both front and rear ends of the pile of sheets, and also including a device dependent upon the motion of said driver" for intermittently preventing rotation of said roll.

26'. In a sheet feeding mechanism, the. combination of a stationary support for the pile of sheets, devices at the forward and rear. ends of the pile and, inclusive of a clamp at the forward end thereof, for holding the pile against displacement endwise, a

.driver, a roll, said holding devices independently self-adjusting to accommodate the height of the pile of sheets, means to cause the roll to travel to and fro upon the pile of sheetsbetween said devices, and means dependent upo-nthe motion of said driver for alternately releasing and preventing rotation of said roll, to enable it to cooperate with said devices to separate and advance the top sheet from the pile.

27. In a sheet feeding mechanism,-.the'

combination of a stationary sheet-support,

means to detain the leading portions of the sheets, a driver, a roll, means to cause the pile of remaining sheets after such advancement, and means for releasing the forward portion of the top sheet to be advanced by said roll; said roll, said detaining means and said clamping means all independently selfadjusting to the height of the pile of sheets.

CHARLES GIBBS. JACOB SOKOLOV.

Witnesses:

JOHN O. SEIFERT, K. FRANKFORT. 

